Grants talk:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Filling Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa State Content Gap in Wikipedia (ID: 22282695)

Endorsment from Iwuala Lucy (talk)

 Strong support Filling the knowledge gap and introducing Wikipedia to communities that have little or no accessibility to educational resources is a welcome development. --Iwuala Lucy (talk) 06:16, 9 September 2023 (UTC)

Endorsment from Godstime Elijah (talk)

I believe that this project will prove to be significant because like with most other underrepresented communities and culture the project will help close the content gap that exist in the Wikimedia space. I fully support this project also because as someone from that region, I know that people will love to see the richness of the cultures and notable activities put out there in the online space.

--Godstime Elijah (talk) 06:21, 11 September 2023 (UTC)

Endorsment from Linason Blessing (talk)

This proposal is the first of its kind it is Filling Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa State Content Gap in Wikipedia it will educate and expose academia's in the University of Uyo to the importance of promoting free knowledge and using Wikipedia as a verifiable sources of information.

• The proposal is excellently composed, featuring explicit objectives, well-defined implementation tactics, and a strong commitment to community engagement. Its primary aim is to rectify the content gap of the people of Akwa Ibom state and Bayelsa State. This initiative seeks to empower the academic community in Akwa-Ibom and Bayelsa States by equipping them with the essential skills to actively contribute their local expertise to Wikipedia.
• This project proposal will educate and train the participants(Academians) on how to effectively contribute to open knowledge.
• This project will help improve contents on Wikipedia, and Wikicommons. This project aligns with the recommendations of Wikimedia 2030 Movement strategy which include: i. Increase the Sustainability of Our Movement ii. Invest in Skills and Leadership Development, Evaluate, Iterate, and Adapt
• The project proposal is carefully drafted and coherent in terms of the objectives, strategies, budget and expected results (metrics). Therefore I  Strong support

--Linason Blessing (talk) 12:38, 11 September 2023 (UTC)

Partially Funded

Hello @Ugwulebo thank you for applying for the rapid fund grant. We reviewed and approved the grant in the amount of 1,510,000 NGN ($1,915 USD) with the following comments:

Well done to the team for the current initiative that focuses on a lesser explored path. The project focus on addressing the content gap concerning the cultural heritage of Akwa Ibom and Bayelsa States in Nigeria is an interesting one. Additionally, the partnership with academic institutions demonstrates a collaborative approach which is equally commendable. We encourage the team to think more about how these partnerships might translated to sustainable contributions and lasting impact. Additionally, having specific, measurable targets makes easier to envision the project's potential impact.

• We recommend the team reviews the budget line items related to refreshments, convening space and merchandise.

• As this is one of the first of such initiatives within the states targeted, consider the sustainability aspect of the project. How will the project ensure that participants continue contributing to Wikimedia projects after the events? Consider outlining strategies for follow-up, mentorship, or continued engagement to nurture the skills acquired during the project.

Best of luck with your project!

Best regards, (On behalf of the Middle East and Africa regional funds team) ~~~~ YPam (WMF) (talk) 11:43, 30 October 2023 (UTC)

Thank you so much for taking time to review my grant request and for your kind comment on the strength of the proposal.

Following your valuable recommendation, I have made adjustments to the project budget, and it now stands at NGN 1,510,000 (equivalent to USD 1,915)

Regarding the project's sustainability aspect, our aim is to foster a community of active Wikimedia editors in both states. As part of our strategy, we intend to connect the recruited volunteers with existing Wikimedia communities, both within and outside Nigeria, encouraging their participation in skill-building programs like the Lets-Connect Peer Learning Program. Additionally, we have developed plans for mentorship and follow-up activities, ensuring that participants continue their contributions to Wikimedia projects even after the initial event. Ugwulebo (talk) 12:34, 31 October 2023 (UTC)

w:en:Wikipedia:OABOT

I see you plan to make new users edit Wikipedia. Have you considered making them start with some assisted editing? For example OAbot is a tool to quickly edit references. It's educational on multiple fronts (templates, reliable sources, systemic bias, copyright) and can make the participants feel some sense of accomplishment quite quickly. Nemo 20:22, 20 November 2023 (UTC)

Request for extension of the Project Timeline

Hello YPam (WMF),

I write to request your kind permission to extend the project timeline till 29th February, 2024. This is to enable the project team complete all aspects of the project and submit a comprehensive report. I would be most grateful if my request is given a favorable consideration. Regards. Ugwulebo (talk) 12:35, 16 January 2024 (UTC)

Hello @Ugwulebo, well done to the team on the work that you are doing to support your community. Your request to extend your project end date is approved. We look forward to reading your final report on this work. best, YPam (WMF) (talk) 06:26, 17 January 2024 (UTC)